When it comes to prepping for the GMAT, Target Test Prep and Princeton Review are two of the most popular choices on the market. Yet, with a lot of overlap in features and content, it can be hard deciding on which GMAT prep program to go with. In this comprehensive review, we explore which one better fits your needs.
Given that we write long, in-depth reviews, we’ve added jump-to links above so you can quickly navigate this article by section.
In the above video, John breaks down the pros and cons of each GMAT prep course, providing a low down on who each course might be best for. Continue reading for more detail.
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In terms of the high level features and study materials that each company provides, the two companies are actually pretty similar. Both provide video lessons, a guided study schedule, practice problems, study notes, full-length practice tests, and more.
Honestly, just looking at the list of stuff you get, these two GMAT courses look fairly close. However, when you dig in to the details and actually use the programs, there are definitely some differences in how these companies deliver their courses.
And I think those are probably best explained by looking at where each company wins over one another, so let’s begin with Princeton Review.
The one biggest difference between Target Test Prep and Princeton Review that must be referenced at the outset is the sheer quantity of study materials and coursework that Princeton provides.
Simply put, the Princeton Review course is much more robust than TTP’s course, and offers more in terms of quantity than Target Test Prep in almost every category (Kaplan does as well). Let us consider the list:
You get the picture. The slate of materials and features you get with Princeton Review is just so much more comprehensive and deep.
My second notable call-out for Princeton Review has to do with video content. At first glance, the two companies’ offerings seem fairly similar, as they both provide tons of great video instruction.
But here’s the reality: if you’re trying to save some money by sticking with Target Test Prep’s basic Self-Study plan, you’re getting hundreds of short video lessons – but the reality is that they’re all just problem breakdowns, with absolutely no video content review. If you want actual video instruction, you have to pay more for their OnDemand or live online course option.
For budget-conscious learners on the Self-Study plan, here’s how it works: rather than offering video-based instruction that covers content review and teaches you how to attack different GMAT problem types from a strategy perspective, TTP lets their written lessons provide the core instruction.
That’s fine, and their problem video breakdowns are useful, but Princeton Review actually has dozens of hours of video lessons that provide content refreshers and test-taking strategies. To me, as a visual learner, this is a huge value add for Princeton Review.
The third advantage favoring Princeton Review is practice tests. As noted above, Princeton Review gives you four computer adaptive practice tests, while Target Test Prep only gives you two.
Yes, you read that correctly. You get twice as many practice tests with Princeton Review, which is huge deal.
But it’s not even just the quantity. We also liked Princeton Reviews’ mock exams themselves better. We found Princeton Reviews’ tests to closely mimic the actual GMAT in terms of interface, as well as question difficulty, length and content (the Kaplan GMAT practice tests do as well).
They are simply a dead ringer for the real thing. So the fact that you get 4 highly realistic practice tests is a big deal.
The last win for Princeton Review here is live instruction. I’m not sure if you’re looking for live classes or not, but if you are, Princeton Review is going to be your better option.
TTP’s live classes are fine, but I want to make clear that Princeton’s classes are very, very good. The instructor I had was great, and the classes added a ton of structure and depth to the course through the regular meetings and custom homework assignments in between. Princeton is a solid option if you’ve considered live classes at all.
👉 Read our full Princeton Review GMAT Prep Course Review
Knowing now the categories where Princeton Review wins, let’s talk about where Target Test Prep wins.
The first big highlight with Target Test Prep is the design of their self-paced course. They structure their GMAT study material into highly streamlined and digestible learning modules which they call “missions.”
Each mission is built around a series of quick reviews from previous modules, lessons (mostly text-based), then a chapter test, and a quick recap. By organizing the course this way, it just feels more structured and provides some serious guidance.
Overall, it has got a great flow, making it easy to keep track of your progress and performance as you roll through the course.
The other clear highlight for TTP is their performance analytics. They are simply fantastic.
Target Test Prep provides some of the most in-depth and useful performance data that I’ve seen across any prep course. They zero in on your behavioral tendencies, last-second answer changing habits, and specific weak spots.
It’s great analysis, and it can make a real impact in terms of improving your GMAT score based on actionable takeaways.
They also added a really good AI tutor to their program in 2025. Day or night, you get instant answers, feedback, and support so you’re never lost or confused.
The final factor in Target Test Prep’s corner is their problem explanations. For a massive number of their practice problems, TTP provides a quick video breakdown (Magoosh does as well). Again, this relates back to the video content I discussed above.
Target Test Prep has hundreds of short videos showing you how to solve problems. For visual learners, I think this is a big advantage as you review practice sets and mock GMAT exams.
Princeton Review has some video breakdowns of problems, but not anywhere near as many as TTP. So while I would like to see Target Test Prep add some more videos as part of their primary instruction, the problem-based videos are awesome for reviewing.
👉 Read our full Target Test Prep GMAT Prep Course Review
In terms of course options, Target Test Prep has several packages to choose from, including a monthly Self-Study package that costs around $300/month (or about $1,100 for six months of access), an OnDemand course with video instruction that costs around $1,300, and a live class package that costs about $1,800.
Then on the flip side, you’ve got Princeton Review, which has three primary plans to choose from: a self-paced course that costs about $800; a live online package called their “Core Concepts” course which costs about $1,000; and a GMAT Focus 645+ course, which, as the name implies, guarantees a score of at least 645. That package costs about $2,000.
So clearly, Target Test Prep is the most affordable option – but only if you go with their stripped-down Self-Study course. Both companies also offer GMAT tutoring packages as well in case you need personal one-on-one tutoring.
However, I will note that those prices are a little deceiving, as those are just the full retail prices on their websites, and both Target Test Prep and Princeton Review regularly run sales and special promotions.
Personally, after using and evaluating both of these GMAT prep courses, I think Princeton Review is the better overall course.
They offer deeper resources; their video lessons are a major advantage; the fact that they offer 4 full-length practice tests is a big deal; their live classes are rock solid; and I actually really like the hardcopy prep books you get with their course as well.
Obviously, Target Test Prep is a solid course in its own right, and the lower price point of its Self-Study plan makes it a good value for anyone on a budget. But overall, for anyone trying to find the most in-depth prep package, I would go with Princeton Review.
👉 Read Next: Our Rankings of the Best GMAT Prep Courses
One of the main differences between Target Test Prep and Princeton Review is that Target Test Prep’s most affordable Self-Study plan focuses on text-based lessons, while Princeton Review offers lessons backed with video lectures built into all of their packages. Moreover, Princeton Review offers a much greater quantity of coursework.
After thoroughly using and testing out each GMAT prep course, our team feels that Princeton Review’s prep package is superior to TTP’s. It’s true that Target Test Prep offers a more attractive price point, but the Princeton study materials are much more comprehensive.
Target Test Prep’s GMAT courses are more affordable than the packages from Princeton Review, but only if you’re going for the low-end Self-Study plan. When it comes to the live online course, Princeton Review actually offers the better deal.